Control assembly for jet boat

ABSTRACT

A control assembly for a boat having a water jet propulsion system in which the jet is discharged successively through a discharge conduit and a nozzle. The nozzle, which is movable with respect to the conduit, is provided with movable bucket whereby said nozzle and bucket are movable into different positions of adjustment to control the jet for thus controlling the steering, fore and aft movements, and desired planing of the boat.

limited States Patent [1 1 Groves, Jr. 1 Jan. 1, 1974 [54] CONTROLASSEMBLY FOR JET BOAT 3,143,857 8/1964 Eaton 115/12 R X [76] Inventor:Richard N. Groves, J12, 2619 Cambridge St., West Lafayette, Ind.ExaminerM1lt0n Buchlel' 47906 Assistant ExaminerStuart M. GoldsteinAttorney-Trask, Jenkins & Hanley [22] F'led: Apr. 12, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 133,179 [57] ABSTRACT A control assembly for a boat having a waterjet pro- 51 pulsion System in which the jet is discharged Succes [58]5/12 R sively through a discharge conduit and a nozzle. The 0 care 5/14i 60/22 nozzle, which is movable with respect to the conduit, isprovided with movable bucket whereby said nozzle 56] References Cit dand bucket are movable into different positions of ade justment tocontrol the jet for thus controlling the UNITED STATES PATENTS steering,fore and aft movements, and desired planing 3,426,724 2/1969 Jacobson115/12 R X of the boat, 3,138,922 6/1964 Englehart et al 115/12 R X3,198,161 8/1965 Andrews et a1 115/14 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures u 47[6 65 4s 4s 28 "O" I'm-m 1 I $1 a, M

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. PATENTEBJAN H914 v 3.782.320

' summfz INVENTOR ATTORNEYS RlCHARD N. GROVES JR.

PATENTEU 3,782,320

saw 2 or z INVENTOR RICHARD N. GROVES, JR.

B 4 1 n-J ATTORNEYS CONTROL ASSEMELY FOR .IIET BOAT BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The ability of a boat to properly plane in the water for themost efficient operation and maximum speed is a function of variousfactors such as hull design, weight distribution, and the like. Thesefactors exist irrespective of whether the boat employs a conventionalpropeller drive or a water jet propulsion system. While various types ofsteering controls for boats with water jet propulsion systems are known,these controls make no provision for controlling or adjusting theplaning of the boat upon which they are mounted.

It is thus an object of this invention to provide a control system for ajet propelled boat which will control the fore and aft and lateralsteering movements of said boat, as well as providing a means forincreasing its ability to plane properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one form of the invention, adischarge conduit projects rearwardly from the transom of a boat toreceive the jet flow from a water jet propulsion power source. A nozzleis also supported from the boat transom and extends around and projectsrearwardly of the discharge conduit. The nozzle is laterally swingablewith respect to the conduit for directing the jet from the nozzle indifferent directions for steering the boat. An elongated reversing slotis formed in the bottom wall of the nozzle adjacent its outlet end, anda bucket is swingably mounted on said nozzle for opening and closing theoutlet thereof. Thus, when said bucket is swung upwardly into aretracted position, the jet is free to move in a generally rearwarddirection through the nozzle outlet for propelling the boat in a forwarddirection, but when said nozzle is swung downwardly into a reversingposition over the nozzle outlet, the jet is diverted through the nozzlereversing slot into a generally forward direction for propelling theboat in a rearward direction.

The lower end of the bucket has an outwardly angled flange thereon. Whenthe bucket is moved into its retracted position, the jet flow throughthe nozzle outlet will impinge upon said flange thereby forcing the bowof the boat downwardly for better planing. The degree to which the jetimpinges upon the flange is adjustable by adjusting the retractedposition of the bucket.

Conveniently, the movements of the nozzle and bucket for controlling thesteering, reversing, and planing of the boat are controlled by anydesired type of actuating means, such as push-pull cables, controllinks, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustratethe invention. In such drawings:

FIG. l is a side elevation of a jet boat having mounted thereon acontrol assembly embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear elevation of the control assembly shown inFIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2, and showingthe bucket in full lines in its retracted position and in dotted linesin its reversing position;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4l4 of FIG. 2, butshowing the bucket in its reversing position; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the bucket stop assembly shown inFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. I, thecontrol assembly comprising the instant invention is adapted to bemounted on a jet boat It) having a hull II. The hull is provided with anintake opening 112 connected to a pump 13 driven by a conventionalmarine engine I41 to force a jet of water outwardly through the transom16 of the hull.

In order to control the direction of the jet flow for controlling thesteering, reversing, and planing movements of the boat, there isprovided a control assembly as shown in detail in FIGS. 2-5 of thedrawings. As shown, said assembly comprises a discharge conduit I8projecting rearwardly through the transom l6 and having its inlet endinterconnected to the pump. A nozzle 20 extends around and projectsrearwardly of the outlet of the conduit 18. A pair of upwardly anddownwardly projecting posts 22 and 23 are provided on the nozzleadjacent its forward or inlet end 24. The posts are rotatably retained,as by snap rings 25, in a pair of mounting brackets 27 connected to thetransom 116 as by bolts 28. Thus, the nozzle 2th is swingable about thevertical axis of the posts 22 and 23 for controlling the lateral angleat which the jet is directed rearwardly through the nozzle outlet 30 forsteering the boat It). Conveniently, the nozzle is movable with respectto the conduit I8 to effect such steering by a pair of push-pull controlcables 32 connected, as by nuts 36, to a pair of laterally projectingears 34 on the nozzle.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3 and d, an elongated reversing slot 38 isprovided in the bottom face of the nozzle 20 and extends forwardly'fromthe nozzle outlet 30. The flow of the jet through the outlet 30 or slot38 is controlled by a bucket 4t swingably mounted on nozzle 20. Asshown, the bucket 40 comprises a generally spherically or cup shapedcenter section 42 interconnecting a pair of side arms 43 disposed onopposite sides of the nozzle Zti. The side arms 43 are rotatably mountedon a pair of stub axles M projecting outwardly from the opposed sides ofthe nozzle 2%. The

swinging movements of the bucket 4WD about the horizontal axis of theaxles 44 is controlled by a push-pull cable connected, as by nuts 4%, toan outwardly projecting finger 47 on bucket section 42.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower or outer end of bucket section d2 has anarcuate flange 50 extending outwardly therefrom. Desirably, a pluralityof stiffening ribs 52 interconnect the bucket section 42 and flange 50along the outer faces thereof. As shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3, whenthe bucket is in its lowered or reversing position, it blocks the nozzleoutlet 39 so that the jet flow through said nozzle will strike thebucket 40 and be diverted through the reversing slot 38 into a generallyforward direction thereby causing the boat lltlt to be propelled in areverse direction. With the bucket being mounted upon the nozzle 2th,and thus movable therewith, the nozzle and bucket can still be swung asa unit about the axis of the posts 22 and 23 for steering the boatduring such rearward movement. When the bucket 4 h is moved into itsretracted full line position as shown in FIG. 3, the jet flow will be ina rearward direction through the nozzle outlet 31) for propelling theboat in a forward direction. Again, the nozzle 2b is swingable about theaxis of posts 22 and 23 for steering the boat.

When the bucket 40 is moved into retracted position, the jet flowthrough the nozzle outlet 30 will impinge upon the flange 50. The forceof the jet striking the flange forces the bow of the boat downwardly toeffect a more efficient planing of the boat. As will be understood, thehigher the bucket is raised, the less will be the amount of impingementof the jet upon the flange 50 and the less the bow will be forceddownwardly. In this manner, the retracted position of the bucket can beadjusted to adjust the planing action afforded by its flange 50.

in order to adjust the location of the retracted position of the bucketand to prevent the force of the jet against the flange 50 from beingtransmitted directly to the cable 46, a stop assembly as shown in FIGS.3 and 5 is provided. As shown, said assembly is mounted on the uppernozzle post 22 and comprises a frame having a pair of side rails 58interconnected by front and rear rails 59 and 60. A stop block 62 havinga rearwardly angled rear face 63 is slidably carried between the siderails 58 on the upper face of post 22. The block 62 is longitudinallyadjustable within the frame by a bolt 64 extending through a hole 65 inthe front rail 59 and threadably received in a tapped opening 67 in thefront face of said block. The angulated rear block face 63 is adapted toengage the correspondingly angled front face 68 of the bucket 40. Thus,with the block 62 properly adjusted and the bucket moved into aretracted position such that its flange 50 achieves the desired degreeof planing, the force of the jet impinging upon the flange 50 will betransmitted to and absorbed by said block.

Conveniently, in order to limit the movement of the bucket downwardtoward its reversing position, a finger 70 projects upwardly from theupper face of the nozzle at its outlet end. Said finger is engageablewith a down wardly projecting hook 72 formed on the bucket section 42 asthe bucket is moved into its reversing position. As will be understood,the finger 70 and hook 72 also help to absorb the force of the jetagainst the bucket section 42 and thereby decrease the force on theaxles 44 when the bucket is in its reversing position.

As will be understood, of course, the control cables 32 and 46 are shownfor illustrative purposes only, and any desired type of actuators may beemployed to achieve the desired nozzle and bucket movements.

I claim:

1. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of said boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an outlet, a nozzlehaving an inlet and outlet and extending around said conduit, saidnozzle being laterally swingable with respect to said conduit, saidnozzle having a slot formed in its lower face and extending forwardlyfrom the rear of said nozzle, a bucket siwngably mounted on said nozzlefor movement between a reversing position in which it extends over saidnozzle outlet to divert the jet flow from the power source generallyforwardly through the slot in said nozzle and a retracted position inwhich said flow is permitted to move in a generally rearwardly directionthrough the nozzle outlet, an outwardly angled flange on said bucketengageable with the jet flow when said bucket is in its retractedposition for controlling the planing of the boat, and control means formoving said nozzle and bucket into the desired positions of adjustment.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in which said bucket comprisesa generally spherically shaped center section, a pair of side armsconnected to said center section and rotatably mounted on said nozzle,and said flange is angled outwardly from the lower end of said centersection.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition thatadjustable stop means are provided on said nozzle for engaging andlimiting the movement of said bucket into its retracted position.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that meansare provided on said nozzle for engaging and limiting the movement ofsaid bucket into its retracted and reversing positions.

5. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of the boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an outlet, a nozzlehaving an inlet and an outlet and extending around said conduit, saidnozzle being laterally swingable with respect to said conduit, a bucketswingably mounted 7 said nozzle for movement between a reversingposition in which it extends over said nozzle outlet to divert the jetflow from the power source generally forwardly from the nozzle and aretracted position in which said flow is permitted to move in agenerally rearwardly direction through the nozzle outlet, means on saidbucket engageable with the jet flow when said bucket is in its retractedposition for controlling the planing of the boat, control means formoving said nozzle and bucket into the desired positions of adjustment,stop means on said nozzle for limiting the movement of the bucket intoits retracted position and comprising a pair of side railsinterconnected by front and rear rails, a block slidably carried betweensaid rails and projecting thereabove for engagement with said bucket,and a bolt carried by one of said rails and threadably connected to saidblock for adjusting the position of said block along the length of saidside rails.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 with the addition that saidblock and bucket have correspondingly angled faces engageable with eachother.

7. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of said boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an outlet, a nozzlehaving an inlet and outlet and extending around said conduit, saidnozzle being laterally swingable with respect to said conduit, a bucketswingably mounted on said nozzle for movement between a reversingposition in which it extends over said nozzle outlet to divert the jetflow from the power source generally forwardly from the nozzle and aretracted position in which said flow is permitted to move in agenerally rearwardly direction through the nozzle outlet, stop meansmounted on the top of said nozzle engageable with said bucket forlimiting movement of the bucket into its retracted position, a fingerprojecting upwardly from said nozzle adjacent its outlet, a hook on saidbucket engageable with said finger for limiting movement of the bucketinto its reversing position, means on said bucket engageable with thejet flow when said bucket is in its retracted position for controllingthe planing of the boat, and control means for moving said nozzle andbucket into the desired positions of adjustment.

8. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of said boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an oulet, a pair ofbrackets mounted on the rear of the boat, a nozzle extending around saidconduit and having a pair of posts rotatably carried in said bracketswhereby said nozzle is laterally swingable with respect to said conduit,a bucket siwngably mounted on said nozzle for movement between areversing position in which it extends over said nozzle outlet to divertthe jet flow from the power source generally forwardly from the nozzleand a retracted position in which said flow is permitted to move in agenerally rearwardly direction through the nozzle outlet, first stopmeans on one of said posts engageable with said bucket for limiting itsmovement into its retracted position, second stop means on said nozzleadjacent its outlet engageable with said bucket for limiting itsmovement into its reversing position, flange means on said bucketprojecting outwardly therefrom and engageable with the jet flow whensaid bucket is in its retracted position for controlling the planing ofthe boat, and control means for moving said nozzle and bucket into thedesird positions of adjustment.

1. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of said boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an outlet, a nozzlehaving an inlet and outlet and extending around said conduit, saidnozzle being laterally swingable with respect to said conduit, saidnozzle having a slot formed in its lower face and extending forwardlyfrom the rear of said nozzle, a bucket swingably mounted on said nozzlefor movement between a reversing position in which it extends over saidnozzle outlet to divert the jet flow from the power source generallyforwardly through the slot in said nozzle and a retracted position inwhich said flow is permitted to move in a generally rearwardly directionthrough the nozzle outlet, an outwardly angled flange on said bucketengageable with the jet flow when said bucket is in its retractedposition for controlling the planing of the boat, and control means formoving said nozzle and bucket into the desired positions of adjustment.2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in which said bucket comprisesa generally spherically shaped center section, a pair of side armsconnected to said center section and rotatably mounted on said nozzle,and said flange is angled outwardly from the lower end of said centersection.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition thatadjustable stop means are provided on said nozzle for engaging andlimiting the movement of said bucket into its retracted position.
 4. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1 with the addition that means areprovided on said nozzle for engaging and limiting the movement of saidbucket into its retracted and reversing positions.
 5. A control assemblyfor a boat having a jet propulsion power source, comprising a dischargeconduit at the rear of the boat having an inlet operatively connected tosaid power source and an outlet, a nozzle having aN inlet and an outletand extending around said conduit, said nozzle being laterally swingablewith respect to said conduit, a bucket swingably mounted on said nozzlefor movement between a reversing position in which it extends over saidnozzle outlet to divert the jet flow from the power source generallyforwardly from the nozzle and a retracted position in which said flow ispermitted to move in a generally rearwardly direction through the nozzleoutlet, means on said bucket engageable with the jet flow when saidbucket is in its retracted position for controlling the planing of theboat, control means for moving said nozzle and bucket into the desiredpositions of adjustment, stop means on said nozzle for limiting themovement of the bucket into its retracted position and comprising a pairof side rails interconnected by front and rear rails, a block slidablycarried between said rails and projecting thereabove for engagement withsaid bucket, and a bolt carried by one of said rails and threadablyconnected to said block for adjusting the position of said block alongthe length of said side rails.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5with the addition that said block and bucket have correspondingly angledfaces engageable with each other.
 7. A control assembly for a boathaving a jet propulsion power source, comprising a discharge conduit atthe rear of said boat having an inlet operatively connected to saidpower source and an outlet, a nozzle having an inlet and outlet andextending around said conduit, said nozzle being laterally swingablewith respect to said conduit, a bucket swingably mounted on said nozzlefor movement between a reversing position in which it extends over saidnozzle outlet to divert the jet flow from the power source generallyforwardly from the nozzle and a retracted position in which said flow ispermitted to move in a generally rearwardly direction through the nozzleoutlet, stop means mounted on the top of said nozzle engageable withsaid bucket for limiting movement of the bucket into its retractedposition, a finger projecting upwardly from said nozzle adjacent itsoutlet, a hook on said bucket engageable with said finger for limitingmovement of the bucket into its reversing position, means on said bucketengageable with the jet flow when said bucket is in its retractedposition for controlling the planing of the boat, and control means formoving said nozzle and bucket into the desired positions of adjustment.8. A control assembly for a boat having a jet propulsion power source,comprising a discharge conduit at the rear of said boat having an inletoperatively connected to said power source and an oulet, a pair ofbrackets mounted on the rear of the boat, a nozzle extending around saidconduit and having a pair of posts rotatably carried in said bracketswhereby said nozzle is laterally swingable with respect to said conduit,a bucket swingably mounted on said nozzle for movement between areversing position in which it extends over said nozzle outlet to divertthe jet flow from the power source generally forwardly from the nozzleand a retracted position in which said flow is permitted to move in agenerally rearwardly direction through the nozzle outlet, first stopmeans on one of said posts engageable with said bucket for limiting itsmovement into its retracted position, second stop means on said nozzleadjacent its outlet engageable with said bucket for limiting itsmovement into its reversing position, flange means on said bucketprojecting outwardly therefrom and engageable with the jet flow whensaid bucket is in its retracted position for controlling the planing ofthe boat, and control means for moving said nozzle and bucket into thedesired positions of adjustment.